Wiggins scores 30, Warriors win their NBA Cup group with a 112-108 triumph over the Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points and the Golden State Warriors secured a knockout round spot in the NBA Cup with a 112-108 victory over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Stephen Curry scored 19 for the Warriors, who improved to 3-0 in West Group C and clinched first place in the group when Denver lost to Dallas.

Buddy Hield capped his 12-point performance with two free throws with 18.5 seconds left to help Golden State hold New Orleans at bay.

Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 24 points but missed a 3-pointer for the lead with 5 seconds remaining — a shot made possible by Brandon Boston Jr's steal of a Golden State inbound pass.

Golden State's Draymond Green was fouled as he grabbed the rebound of Murphy's miss and hit both free throws for the final margin.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl scored 19 points, Brandon Ingram added 18 and Boston 16 for the Pelicans, who fell to 1-2 in group play and lost for the 10th time in 11 games.

Jordan Hawkins returned from a seven-game absence caused by back soreness and had six points.

Warriors: Depth and balance made a difference for Golden State. Green and Brandin Podziemski each scored 11 points.

Pelicans: With rookie center and first-round draft choice Yves Missi sitting out because of a sore left shoulder, the injury-riddled Pelicans opened the game with their 12th different starting lineup of the season (Elfrid Payton, Daniel Theis, Javonte Green, Ingram and Murphy).

Wiggins made a spin move and tossed in a 13-foot floater while being fouled by Robinson-Earl with 5:13 left. He completed the three-point play to make it 102-94 and the Pelicans got no closer that 110-108 after that.

Golden State outrebounded New Orleans 52-42.

Warriors: Visit San Antonio on Saturday night.

Pelicans: Visit Indiana on Monday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) is fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) as he drives to the basket in the second half of an an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. The Warriors won 108-112. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green yells at an official, drawing a technical foul, in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans center Trey Jemison III in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts with the bench after guard Buddy Hield (7) made a 3-point basket in the second half of an an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. The Warriors won 108-112. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Brandon Boston Jr. (11) pulls the shirt of Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) as he goes to the basket against guard Trey Murphy III (25) in the second half of an an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. The Warriors won 108-112. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) loses the ball as he battles between Golden State Warriors forward Kyle Anderson (1) and guard Moses Moody (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Brandon Boston Jr. (11) and center Trey Jemison III leap for a rebound against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) and forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Brandon Boston Jr. (11) leaps to block Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan — both former All-Stars — and second baseman Brendan Rodgers were among 62 players who became free agents Friday when their teams failed to offer 2025 contracts.

Right-hander Jordan Romano, left-hander Patrick Sandoval and outfielder Michael Tauchman also were among the players cut loose, including 36 who would have been eligible for salary arbitration.

Washington cut right-hander Tanner Rainey, its last remaining player from the 2019 World Series champions.

More than 20 players agreed to contracts ahead of the deadline, including San Francisco outfielder Mike Yastrzemski ($9.25 million), Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin ($5.4 million) and New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham ($5 million).

Hays, 29, was an All-Star in 2023 when he hit .275 with 16 homers and 67 RBIs for Baltimore. He was traded to the Phillies last July 26 and batted .256 with two homers and six RBIs in 22 games while dealing with a kidney infection.

The 33-year-old Finnegan was an All-Star this year for Washington and finished with 38 saves.

In addition, Kansas City acquired second baseman Jonathan India, the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, in a trade with Cincinnati to play alongside star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. The Royals also acquired outfielder Joey Wiemer while sending right-hander Brady Singer to Cincinnati.

The deadline marked the last time a team could drop an arbitration-eligible player without committing to at least 30 days of termination pay if the player is released. The flurry of cuts and contracts left 167 players eligible to exchange proposed arbitration salaries with their teams on Jan. 9.

Others reaching one-year deals were Baltimore third baseman Emmanuel Rivera ($1 million); Cleveland right-hander Ben Lively ($2.25 million) and left-hander Sam Hentges ($1,337,500); Detroit second baseman Zach McKinstry ($1.65 million) and third baseman Andy Ibáñez ($1.4 million); Minnesota right-hander Michael Tonkin ($1 million); Yankees right-hander JT Brubaker ($1.82 million); Texas right-handers Dane Dunning ($2.66 million) and Josh Sborz ($1.1 million); Chicago Cubs right-handers Julian Merryweather ($1,225,000) and Keegan Thompson ($850,000); Cincinnati infielder Santiago Espinal ($2.4 million); Colorado outfielder Sam Hilliard ($1 million); Milwaukee catcher Eric Haase ($1.35 million); New York Mets right-hander Sean Reid-Foley ($800,000 in majors, $386,375 in minors); Philadelphia right-hander José Ruiz ($1,255,000) and catcher Garrett Stubbs ($925,000 in majors, $450,000 in minors); and San Francisco right-hander Austin Warren ($785,000 in majors, $350,000 in minors)

Grisham can earn $250,000 in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $50,000 each for 350 and each additional 50 through 550.

Ruiz can earn $45,000 in performance bonuses for games: $20,000 for 30 and $25,000 for 40.

Among players reaching one-year deals on Thursday were Dodgers right-hander Dustin May ($2,135,000), Cubs catcher Matt Thaiss ($1 million in majors, $400,000 in minors), Colorado left-hander Lucas Gilbreath ($785,000) and Washington right-hander Mason Thompson ($770,000 in majors, $374,600 in minors).

San Diego infielder/outfielder Tyler Wade agreed to a $900,000, one-year contract that includes an $850,000 salary this year and a $1 million team option for 2026 with a $50,000 buyout. Wade can earn $150,000 in performance bonuses each year for plate appearances: $25,000 each for 100 and 150, and $50,000 apiece for 200 and 250.

In addition, the Mets agreed to minor league contracts with first baseman Joey Meneses and catcher Jakson Reetz.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

FILE - Colorado Rockies' Brendan Rodgers follows the flight of his RBI single in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

FILE - Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan delivers during a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sept. 14, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

FILE - Philadelphia Phillies' Austin Hays takes an at-bat during a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Sept. 24, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)